Scott Dixon grabs Indy 300 pole position

SPARTA, Ky., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Scott Dixon grabbed the pole position Friday for the Indy Racing League's Meijer Indy 300 at the Kentucky Speedway.

The No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver circled the 1 ½ -mile oval four times in 1 minute, 37.3293 seconds at 218.968 mph, claiming his sixth pole this season and the 13th of his IndyCar career.

With four races left in the 2008 IndyCar season, six drivers remain mathematically eligible for the championship, but Dixon, the leader, holds a comfortable 65-point advantage over second-place Helio Castroneves.

"Our race car is very similar to our qualifying setup," Dixon said. "Hopefully we can lead a lot of laps, gain a lot of points and close in on that championship."

Dixon has five victories this season, including two in the last three races, and has led the standings since winning the Indianapolis 500 in May.

Vitor Meira will join him on the front row, with Dan Wheldon and Hideki Mutoh on row two.